Loving my Kindle..

According to Goodreads, I have 192 e-books loaded on my Kindle. Seems a little crazy when you consider I've only had the thing for a little over four months. That breaks down to an average of 48 books a month. Wow.

Of course, I've only spent a small amount of money on those 192 books. Why? Well, the most obvious reason is because of the free classics.

(read)

(read)

(read)

(Going to Read)

I think you get the idea. I'm excited that my Kindle gives me the opportunity to read these titles with ease. A quick search on Amazon is all it takes to add these often thought about books to my electronic to-be-read pile.

But that's not the only thing Amazon's got going for it. They also have limited-time promotional offers. I love those just as much as I love the free classics. As a truly voracious reader, I'm not afraid to explore genres. In fact, I prefer to switch it up from time to time. Although these titles likely aren't free any more, they were when I purchased them.

(Going to Read)

(Going to Read)

(Going to Read)

Again, I think you get the idea. The limited-time freebies change with surprising frequency, which is why I probably have so many. I check at least once a week for new and potentially interesting books. Some will be great, some will be good, and some will probably be complete clunkers, but they're free, so who cares? At least, that's how I look at it.

Of course, I've bought a few titles, too. The majority have been for $5 or less. This is where I think the publishers/writers are starting to get savvy. I'm willing to pay a reasonable price for a book. So, I buy the first book in a series for $5. Get hooked. Completely and utterly hooked, and since this is a series, I'm compelled to go buy book #2, and then book #3...at full price because I'm hooked. I want to know what happens next. I need to know.

Now in the world of brick and mortar, my time is precious. Finding a spare minute to run to a book store where the next title may or may not be available is tricky. Amazon is instant gratification (as long as the funds are available for said purchase).

Summer goals.

In addition to reading my way through the insanely over-grown pile of books on my to-be-read shelf, I plan on getting some serious writing-related business accomplished between now and September. In an effort to hold myself accountable - to you, dearest Internet - I thought it might be helpful to actually outline my objectives.

Complete the final edit on my alter-ego's first self-pubbed paranormal romance novel. Once this is accomplished, I will be releasing it on Amazon in both print and e-book formats.

Complete a few more chapters on the collaborative story I'm writing just for fun with my younger cousin.

Work on the story bible for my fantasy novel - the very same fantasy novel that will not get out of my head, yet, at the same time, will not fall gracefully onto the page! It's working title, for future reference, is Between the Heavens and Earth.

Either rework what I already have written on said pain-in-the-arse fantasy novel or start fresh from page 1.

Reading for Fun

...school's out for summer...

And that means, I'm reading for fun again. I can't tell you how much I enjoy selecting my own reading material. Since the end of class, I've already devoured the first book in George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy series, Song of Ice and Fire.

It's been a long time since I've read this type of book. The world-building is intricate, but subtle. Like most epic fantasies, this one, too, feels very medieval. There are kings, lords, and ladies living in castles. There are knights along the wall and guards at the door. Merchants, blacksmiths, captains, and barkeeps fill the towns. The weapons range from well-made swords and daggers to pitchforks and axes. Horses and wind-powered ships provide transportation.

Add to all that a giant ice wall that protects the realm from the Others (and who knows what else), Direwolves, and some curious rock-like dragon eggs, and I'm even more enchanted. For the record, the Direwolves are my favorite magical creatures so far. I love how attuned they are to their human partners, how their personalities are defined by the nature of the one they protect. Brilliant, that.

The true magic, though, in Martin's storytelling is in the characters. I am absolutely captivated by them - the good and bad alike. I think the thing I find most impressive is their complexity. The most admirable can be prone to prejudice and rage, while the most despicable can be capable of love and compassion.

I won't give away the plot, but I must give a nod of respect to the impressive political maneuvers that carry the story forward into book two, which I'm currently reading.

I'm not very far into this one, yet, but already it is proving to be just as good as the first book.